Chris Withrow Optioned Out

Chris Withrow was optioned down to AAA Albuquerque to make room for Hyun-Jin Ryu, who came off the Disabled List. Paul Maholm was sent to the bullpen to take Withrow's place. Withrow pitched in 20 games, 21 1/3 innings, and gave up 7 earned runs for a 2.95 ERA. He had one bad outing within the past week in which he gave up 5 runs but I believe the biggest reasons that he was sent down was the fact that he had options left and to work on his control. He issued 18 walks in those 21 1/3 innings. He was one of the least deserving of some of the other relievers of being optioned out but it was about the only move the Dodgers could make. Plus the Dodgers needed another lefty besides J.P. Howell in the bullpen.

Taking One For The Team

All teams get the occasional beat down and last night the Dodgers were no exception in a 13-3 loss to the Marlins. Bob Uecker referred to in his book The Catcher In The Wry as "taking one for the team" and last night Paul Maholm did just that. He was left in longer than he should have to try to preserve a beat up bullpen. Maholm went 3 2/3 innings and gave up 10 runs but only 5 were earned. Chris Perez and Brian Wilson came in and poured some gasoline on the fire (Perez 1/3 of an inning 2 earned runs and Wilson 1 ininning and 1 earned run although Wilson did lower his ERA to 10.22). Drew Butera added to his impressive backup credentials by pitching a scoreless 9th inning and even struck out a batter. The only offensive highlight of the night for the Dodgers was that Yasiel Puig extended his hitting streak to 14 games and knocked in his team leading 31st run.